Kirbyville's Pat Beaty, No. 23, looks for a way past East Chambers' defense Friday night. The Kirbyville Wildcats hosted the East Chambers Buccaneers on Friday night.
Photo taken Friday 11/7/14
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Photo: Jake Daniels

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Kirbyville's Ty Dennis, No. 32, slips through the line of scrimmage during Friday's game against East Chambers. The Kirbyville Wildcats hosted the East Chambers Buccaneers on Friday night.
Photo taken Friday 11/7/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX
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Kirbyville's Ty Dennis, No. 32, slips through the line of scrimmage during Friday's game against East Chambers. The Kirbyville Wildcats hosted the East Chambers Buccaneers on Friday night.
Photo taken Friday ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Dennis, Beaty possess a brotherly bond

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Pat Beaty sat alone in the waiting room of a Jasper hospital last Friday night, un-showered and still wearing his football tights, hoping for a chance to see his teammate and fellow running back Ty Dennis.

During the second quarter of Kirbyville's 24-21 loss to Bridge City, Dennis was knocked unconscious after being hit under the helmet. The junior was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and a spine stinger.

"When they told me he was unresponsive," Beaty said, "I couldn't stop from crying. I couldn't hold it back. I just kept saying, 'no, no, no.' I was afraid he was dead. But when they told me he was breathing, it was like I could breathe again. It was like I came back to my body and back into the stadium."

When Beaty entered the hospital room he was met with a smile from Dennis, who has always been more like a brother to him than a teammate.

"It was just good to see him joke," Beaty said. "It was a relief. His dad was there cracking jokes. It was a happy thing."

Beaty's presence meant a lot to Dennis.

"I was just glad to have him there," Dennis said. "He always steps up for me when I need him. That's what family is all about."

Since becoming friends in the eighth grade, the two have been inseparable, on and off the field. They eat their meals together, work out together and most nights stay over at teammate's Devin Tyler's house plotting out the football season and playing PlayStation until falling asleep on the couch.

"If you see me," Dennis said, "You're more than likely going to see him (Beaty) too. We spend pretty much every day together. It's that brotherly bond."

For Beaty, having that close bond with Dennis has allowed him to move past a tumultuous childhood.

"Anything I wanted, like extra money for food or clothes, I had to earn on my own," Beaty said. "But my life is a dream now. I think my experiences then, made me a better person today."

The 5-11, 175-pound Beaty claims his running style comes from his many life lessons.

"I run with power because I have to," Beaty said. "I've been through some tough things in my life, but I've always run through them."

But when he's needed support, Beaty has always looked to Dennis.

"He's had to lean on me in the past and I've always had his back no matter what," Dennis said. "Whether it's to give him a place to stay or just someone to hang out with. I'm there to be family and a brother."

Their closeness off the field has equated to big things on it.

The duo combined for more than 2,500 rushing yards a year ago, making them one of the most feared returning backfields in Class 3A.

But with Dennis likely out for at least the next two weeks, it will be up to Beaty to carry the load.

"I know he can handle the load," Dennis said. "I watch him play all the time and I've seen what he can do. It's up to him now to step up and be that leader."